CHITF sends a heartfelt congratulations to:

• Senior Master (SM) Wang, VIII Dan – China
• Master Jackie Zhao, VII Dan – China
• Sabum Dos Santos, V Dan – Mozambique
• Sabum Zaitov, V Dan – Uzbekistan

Reference: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1H5gcZ1cJ4/

From Master Jackie Zhao:
My Thoughts on Earning the 7th Dan Black Belt in Taekwondo In Taekwondo, getting a 7th Dan Black Belt is a big dream for all of us. I’ve worked hard for this goal for a long time. When I first started, I just loved Taekwondo, but later, I trained hard every day. It wasn’t easy, with lots of sweat, but I never thought of quitting. The day of the 7th Dan test was full of nerves and hope. During the test, I did my best on every move, showing everything I learned over the years. When I finally knew I passed, I wasn’t as excited as I thought. I didn’t feel like showing off. At the test place, all the lights were on me. My 师父 came to me, holding the 7th Dan belt. He put it on me very seriously. In that moment, time seemed to stop. Looking at the belt, I didn’t feel excited or want to brag. Instead, I felt a strong sense of duty. I know this belt isn’t just a symbol. It means a big responsibility. Taekwondo is not just a sport to me. It’s a part of my life. Now, I’m thinking about how I can help Taekwondo grow. I want more people to love it and see how great it is. For the CHITF International Taekwondo League that helped me grow, I feel I must do my part. I’ll work hard to make it better. When I teach, I’ll share everything I know to help new students. I want to help them become good Taekwondo practicers. In the future, I’ll keep going with this responsibility. I’ll keep getting better at Taekwondo and do all I can to make the sport and the league grow.

赵宗哲Jackie Zhao Morning, March 22, 2025, in Shanghai. I wrote this after looking at my certificate and belt.